Medicaid Advocacy Resources

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Medicaid Protection

These resources provide critical information about Medicaid and its role with supporting people with disabilities. Gain insight about Medicaid basics and the current threats that Medicaid is facing.

 

Advocacy Conversations: How Medicaid Services Are Financed and Proposals to Limit Their Costs

/in , /by The Arc

In this webinar, Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc, and Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer of Public Policy, provide valuable insights into Medicaid and its anticipated role in 2025 discussions.

Download session slides here.

Advocacy Conversations: Protecting Medicaid’s Future in 2025

/in , /by The Arc

Were you with The Arc in 2003, 2011, 2017, or 2023? During those years, we successfully fought against changes to Medicaid that would have reduced services for people with disabilities, including a narrow victory in 2017. As Congress prepares to debate Medicaid policies in 2025, we need your support. Join our nationwide movement to protect Medicaid and ensure it continues providing essential services. In this webinar, we focused on engaging chapter leaders in Medicaid advocacy, reviewing Medicaid basics, and preparing leaders to act in support of this vital program.

Download session slides here.

The Arc Expresses Support for H.R. 2941, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

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The Arc of the United States submitted a letter of support for H.R. 2941, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act. The legislation would urge the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider including a code for direct support professionals (DSPs) in its revision of the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) manual. The omission of a DSP SOC code leads to a lack of data on the DSP workforce, the devaluation of the profession, and likely lower reimbursement rates as a result.

The Arc Sends Letter to Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Regarding the Hearing, Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity

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The Arc expressed its support for several bills being reviewed by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health at a hearing on expanding access to Medicaid. The legislation reviewed included making Money Follows the Person permanent, portability of Medicaid benefits for dependents of military families, and modifications to the Medicaid buy-in program for older working adults.

The Arc Sends Letter on the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

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The Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act would provide major investments and protections for workers across the long-term care settings. The Arc applauded Senator Casey (D-PA) for developing legislation to address this pressing issue.

The Arc Responds to the Department of Labor’s Proposed Overtime Rule

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The proposed rule would increase in the minimum salary threshold for white-collar overtime exemptions to an annual amount of $55,068.  The Arc supports overtime for these workers but urged the Labor Department to work with its agency partners to ensure states increase the necessary funds to maintain access to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).

FINDS Community Report 2023: Family & Individual Needs for Disability Supports

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The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey provides insights and understanding of the experiences of families supporting a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is critical research to inform better policy development.

The FINDS survey was initially conducted by The Arc of the United States in 2010. It was updated in 2017 through a collaboration between the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC/CL) at the University of Minnesota and The Arc.

The 2023 report focused on:

  1. What are the challenges families face in meeting the support needs of their family members?
  2. What are the economic implications of caregiving?
  3. How does caregiving affect caregivers, and what supports do they need?

A better understanding of the experiences and needs of caregivers can help policymakers and others support caregivers in this critical role.

The Arc’s Congressional Leave-Behind for the HCBS Relief Act

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The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act of 2023 was introduced in Congress by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). The bill would provide two years of additional Medicaid funds to improve access to HCBS by increasing direct care worker pay and benefits; decrease the number of people on waiting lists for HCBS; and pay for assistive technologies, staffing, and other costs that facilitate community integration.

The Arc Responds to CMS’ Proposed Rule, Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services

/in , , , , , /by The Arc

The proposed “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule would create new requirements for state programs to improve access to care, quality, and health outcomes and better address health equity issues in the Medicaid program. The Arc submitted detailed comments on the proposal, particularly related to access to home and community-based services (HCBS).